The Machinist Analysis

By Emma Whelan

What are the Codes and Conventions of Trailers?

The distributors label Paramount Classics is a well renowned distributor for producing thriller/horror films e.g Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde suggests The Machinist will similarly share aspects of the thriller form. Audiences are also more likely to expect an edgier film as Paramount Classics are known for their ability to produce successful low budget films e.g Napoleon Dynamite, an advantage of this reputation is that audiences are provided with an aspect of realism.

 The reoccurring signifier of the post-it note is used to create a mininarrative in which the audience is able to review the full ark of the film within a 3 minute trailer.

The R Rating is a typical feature of trailers which warns the viewer of the nature of the content within the trailer and suggests a horrific element to the trailer that is not suitable for younger viewers.

How are the titles used?

The Machinist has made interesting editorial decisions when sequencing the order of the titles that appear. The review of the film appears as the first title after the Paramount Classics logo in a sickly yellow which is contrasting to the variety of grey-scale and dark lighting used in the remainder of the trailer.

An old fashioned technique typical of the horror genre then reads How do you wake up from a nightmare.. appears in directly contrasting white to the black background, the white glow suggests a mocking tone to the horror which could be interpreted to be the character Ivan to be daring the audience to watch his psychological torment of Trevor

 Unlike the average Hollywood Blockbuster, The Machinist only mentions one actor- Christian Bale, an institution block to suggest the film is based around simply one actor, hinting to the audience the other characters within the trailer are merely figments of his imagination.

Finally the title of the film The Machinist appears at the end of the trailer, the delay in the announcement of its name acts to change the viewers perception of the job machinist. By the end of the trailer, an innocent job is warped into something far more sinister.

The exposition
Trevor is introduced at the beginning of the trailer in a stylistic form, the combination of eerie high pitched non-diegetic soundtrack and the dark lighting is heightened by the image of the machine flashing onto the screen whilst the sound-bridge to the subsequent scene Trevor is whispered. This acts to dehumanise the main character and present him as merely a name behind this violent machine.

Colours used
The use of the oppressive grey-scale filter reflects the flattening effects of mental illness reflecting Trevors uninspired and flat state of mind. The quick cuts of Trevor that follow establish the Thriller genre, in addition the fade to black cuts used Reflect the black holes in Trevors memory, suggesting The element of mental illness

Sound
The mechanical non-diegetic soundtrack create a steady yet fast pace to the trailer which builds to its climactic point in which Killer is revealed on the post-it note. A variety of sound-bridges are used in which the sound of the machines are carried on into the subsequent scenes in which Trevors personal life with Stevie is shown, suggesting he cannot escape from his guilt.